Steven Gerrard has stated that he has ‘a lot of admiration’ for Dean Smith in what is his first interview as Aston Villa manager.
The legendary midfielder stated that he has a ‘tough act to follow’ at Villa Park after he was recently appointed the club’s new boss, as he told the club’s official website.
It has been a whirlwind eight or so days for Gerrard, Villa and the man he is going to replace in the B6 dugout.
Gerrard swapped the colours of Rangers for the hotseat at Villa, whilst Smith has now been appointed manager of Norwich City.
Even though Smith was sacked after a run of five straight defeats, including 18 losses in 2021, he was still very popular with the supporters.
Gerrard, who played for his boyhood club in Liverpool during his playing days, touched upon that local connection Smith had with the fans.
“I must take this opportunity to mention Dean Smith,” said Gerrard. “He is someone who I have got a lot of admiration for. A lot of respect for.
“I can’t control how things happen or what’s gone on before me. But I think the success he has had here at the club and the respect he has gained.
“I also appreciate the local man and the connection. It’s going to be a tough act to follow and I certainly respect that.”
One thing is for sure, Villa are in a much, much better position from when Smith first joined to the day he left.
It was a sad ending because of what he meant to the Villa supporters and how that local connection may never be matched again.
But the same could be said for Gerrard, minus the local connection, because he left Rangers in a better position than when he first joined the Glasgow club.
Now, Gerrard will be hoping to do the same at Villa Park and Smith has his work cut out at Norwich, so it will be interesting to see how things pan out for the duo.
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